Norman Nanninga

Norman Donald Nanninga, age 96, formerly of Lamont and Holland, went to be with his Lord on Oct. 24, 2025, at Rose Garden in Grandville, Michigan. 

Norm was born on July 30, 1929, the first child of Nick and Dorothy (Herrema) Nanninga. He grew up across the road from the “Nanninga farm” near Lamont. He was a member and elder of Lamont Christian Reformed Church and later of Bethany Christian Reformed Church, Holland. For more than thirty years, Norm worked as an accountant at Associated Truck Lines, Grand Rapids, and then at Gra-Bell Truck Line in Holland. As a young man, Norm served his country in the Army Reserves during the Korean War. 

Norm married his Coopersville sweetheart, Rena Adema, on Aug. 7, 1953, and the Lord blessed  them with five covenant children. Norm and Rena’s children all attended Lamont Christian School where Norm was active as a board member and school treasurer. He also served on the board of Unity Christian High School, Hudsonville. In retirement, Norm volunteered with Tulip Time and at a Bibles for Mexico thrift store in Holland. Norm filled countless hours in his basement woodshop where he crafted much-loved toys for his grandchildren and beautiful works of wooden art which were on display in his home. 

Norm was preceded in death by his wife, Rena (Adema) Nanninga; parents, Nick and Dorothy Nanninga; Rena’s parents, Walter and Katie Adema; sister, Joan Essenburg; brother, Roger Nanninga; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Simon Essenburg, Matt and Hannah Adema, Anna and Carl Johnson, Lester and Winifred Modderman, George and Gertrude Veeneman, Garrett and Ruth Adema, Bob Adema, Bill Adema, and Clarence DePender. He is survived by his children, Sue and Don McCrory of Wyoming, Gail and David Kloosterman of Caledonia, Tom and Cindy Nanninga of Kalamazoo, Terry and Jim Krikke of Lamont, Karen and Kurt Rotman of Burnips; 17 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson; sister, Joyce DePender; sisters-in-law, Velma Nanninga, Lois Adema, and Ruth Adema; and many nieces and nephews. 

The funeral will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Lamont Christian Reformed Church, 4745 Leonard St., Coopersville, with Rev. Terry Slachter officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service. The burial will take place at Maplewood Cemetery, Lamont, MI. Memorial contributions may be made to Lamont Christian School or Emmanuel Hospice.